It’s My “Runniversary”!

It all started last June with the Rosanne’s Rush for Research 5K which raises funds for triple negative breast cancer that are donated to Dana Farber Cancer Hospital in Boston. It was my first time back to running after being sidelined with severe lyme symptoms for several years. I was proud to run. And proud to run with my son. Proud to clear the damn hurdle of lyme for once. And proud to raise funds in Rosanne’s memory.

This past weekend, on June 23rd, my son and I ran in Rosanne’s Rush for Research for our second year in a row, marking my Runniversary! Since last year, we discovered he also has lyme. My boy whisperer. And since last year, we have been putting one foot in front of the other. Taking one step at a time. Literally and figuratively. And you know what? We beat our time from last year by 13 minutes. 13 MINUTES. That’s determination and progress for both of us!

Every week. Religiously. I’d run. In the winter, running weekends in the brisk cold with thermals on. In the summer, hitting the pavement at 5:30 a.m. on bright beautiful mornings. With those sore, tired and lymie muscles, each and every time felt like it was the first. No matter how much I “trained”, it didn’t get easier. For a lymie, running even 3 miles is as much of an accomplishment as running a marathon. And I’m tough on myself. Competitive. Defiant. So I pushed. And 3 miles soon became 5. 5 became 8. And last week I reached my personal best. 10 miles!

650 miles later, I crossed that finish line on Sunday. I also crossed another finish line last week. When my lyme doctor told me she needn’t see me as a lyme patient anymore. I had progressed substantially, we had done what we could do. She was setting me free. I feel strong. And look strong. Dear God and Dear Asics, please let me stay strong.

There’s no stopping me now. I love what my runs do for my phsyique and my psyche. I love losing myself in my music and my thoughts. I love the high and the victory I feel after. I love feeling strong. Happy Runniversary to me. The modern milestone gift for a 1st anniversary is a clock. Perfect. I would use that clock to time my runs this year. For a 2nd anniversary, the modern gift is china. Excellent. I will put it in the display case with my retired sneakers. And I will work towards that diamond (10th) and pearl (12th) Runniversary!

HOORAY and YAY!

Bringing it!

Grinning and Bearing It

Boy Whisperer and I

All Smiles!

The Dream Team?!

Sneaker huddle!

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2 Comments:

What a powerful story. You are an inspiration for those who do not see a future in their present lyme state. You know what I am saying when I say you go girl. Boy whisperer will do well by whatching you.
David R Thomas

Thank you David!! I continue to power through. This week has been an especially tough week with some big time work stress. Those are the times I feel unsteady, dizzy, weak, numb and overpanicky. My nervous system has been shredded by this disease and stress really brings out the complications. But I am powering through to be a great model for Boy Whisperer! And I continue and will always see a bright spot ahead of me, no matter what! 🙂